To join, or not to join, that is the question

Interested in joining MTC?  This blog will focus on great reasons to join the Mississippi Teacher Corps and reasons that may make you want to do something else after graduation.  There are only about three and a half months left in my first year of the corps so Lord willing, the worst and most difficult days are behind me.  Teaching is starting to become more enjoyable even though it’s a Sunday night and I still have that half dread feeling in my stomach.  Without further adieu I would like to examine some of those reasons. 

Why you should join MTC

• ·      You want to make a difference - Even though I feel years away from being a great teacher I do feel like I am making a difference.  One of the teachers last week told one of my students ‘You’re nothing but a retard’.  This past weekend a guest  speaker in one of our classes said about 65 percent of what our kids hear at home is negative.  I am definitely improving as a teacher but I try my best to love all my kids and create a warm environment conducive to learning. 

• ·      The perks – My senior year of college I knew I wanted to teach.  My choices were either join a program like MTC or go to grad school for a year and a half.  Joining MTC I not only receive a salary from my school district but also a free Macbook and lest we forget a free Master’s Degree from Ole Miss.  

Why you should NOT join MTC

• ·      You don’t handle stress well – After my junior year of college I participated in Target’s Executive Intern Program.  This is one of the more prestigious internship programs in the country designed to build leadership skills.  I enjoyed it but nothing has grown me more than MTC.  Growth isn’t always fun though and these leadership lessons have often occurred through difficult hours in the classroom whether it be students cursing me out or the bell coming hours after it was expected to.  The stress of the first few months of school is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life and if you can’t handle stress – don’t teach down here.

• ·      You don’t like Mississippi – This seems like a dumb reason but there are many other alternative education programs in areas throughout the country.  Although I’m from Philadelphia, Mississippi is growing on me.   It stinks having to fly anytime I want to see a family member or my fiancée but it’s not permanent and I think the benefits far outweigh the costs.

If you’re thinking about teaching in Mississippi – weigh the options and although I typically dread the thought of going to school the experience has been well worth it.